The Druid Circles of Saria

Druid circles are not necessarily groups or communities of druids, but rather a shared ideal/belief that unites them under any particular circle. Though there are tribes and pacts formed by druids who are part of the same circle, anyone who chooses the path of druidism may follow any circle of their choice. However, once a circle is chosen, it is expected that they remain in that circle for life. It is looked down upon those who follow the teachings of Saria to switch circles, or give up their practice. This expectation nearly becomes a requirement for those blessed with Saria’s gifts. However, there are many druids who decide not to follow any one particular circle. These druids believe that every circle has aspects that help bring the world closer to harmony and that by taking a more holistic approach, they may help bring further balance. Though there are some druids that are non-conformist for life, the majority of these druids tend to take this approach when deciding which circle best fits them. Saria's blessed aren't allowed to be non-conforming.

The Six Druid Circles
Druids understand that they have a role to play in the world, and thus, value nature and the ideals of their respective circle highly. Though some circles may be contradictory to one another, the core idea is that harmony exists as long as there are druids doing their part.

The Circle of the Stag
One of the most well known circles, due to the likeness of this circle’s guardian, the White Stag, being Ardea's symbol. The Circle of the Stag believes that predator and prey are an integral part of the circle of life. They believe that participating as predators is not only a good thing, but a mandatory thing in order to keep the the world in balance. Thus, those who join this circle tend to be hunters in some way, shape, or form. The general mantra of this Circle is: Waste nothing, take no joy in the hunt, respect your prey and honour the challenge. Hunting is a part of life within this circle. It is a common rite of passage that young druids, or those looking to join the circle will take a hunting challenge. The White Stag is usually the provider of the challenge, and there's always a reward attached.

The Circle of the Owl
The Circle of the Owl tends to be more reserved when compared to the other circles. Its followers believe in a more holistic approach to harmony, and that everything that exists within the mortal plane is connected to one another. This is the circle that has the fewest communities dedicated to it, as it tends to promote solidarity. One of the most common practices is meditation. It’s expected for followers of this circle to meditate for hours at a time in order to garner a connection with the world, and to be a part of that connection. Some druids under this circle go on pilgrimages to far reaches of the world, and to the highest points they can find all in order to meditate. By doing this, they hope to gain a better understanding of the world as a whole, and their part to play in it. Some druids under this circle take an oath of silence in order to better observe everything around them. They tend to value wisdom, understanding, and balance above all else. Though some are known to live around people, or even some people following this circle may form communities, meditation is thought of as something rather personal. An intimate relationship is being formed with the world itself, and that relationship is personal for everyone.

The Circle of the Tortoise
Druids under the Tortoise may seem similar to those under the Owl on the surface, but there are numerous key differences. While the Owl believes that the whole world is connected, the Tortoise believes that specific natural grounds are sacred and thus, must be protected. at any cost Unlike those under the Owl who are primarily nomadic, those under the Tortoise will tend to pick a sacred ground and stay there all their life. This is a circle that promotes those who are decisive, headstrong, and unmoving. These people view themselves as protectors and thus, are expected to be capable of such protection. In history, tribes under the Tortoise were famous for being some of the only druids to wear metal armour, as opposed to the usual leathers.

The Circle of the Wolf
The Wolf tends to be a point of contention for most druids under other circles - especially the Stag. Those under the wolf believe that beasts and monsters are not just part of the natural world and deserve nothing but the utmost respect, but that they are also the pinnacle of naturalism and thus should be aspired to. Those under this circle tend to abandon ideas of civilization and societal norms, preferring to live more like the tribal ancestors. By rejecting ideas that make them people, they hope to be more like beasts. Beasts and monsters are undoubtedly important to those that follow the Wolf. Many rituals and customs revolve around them. One of which is that in order to die honourably, one must get consumed by a beast in order to give back to the highest natural order. Druids under the Wolf believe themselves subservient to the monsters, and that by providing for them and respecting them, they can live harmoniously. Of course, the tension with other druids comes when they want to become a beast themselves. Their aspiration to beasthood tends to alienate them from other druids, even though it is a circle recognized by Saria, who also gives her gifts to those that follow it.

The Circle of the Sloth
Those under this circle send to be regarded by other druids as lazy. However, they have a unique mindset. They believe in the idea that nature and the world are not to be interfered with. They wish for nature and the world to run its course with as little interference as possible from those that can bring imbalance. Traits that are highly regarded in this circle are patience, calmness, and healthiness. These are people that love to surround themselves with plants of all kinds. Trees play an important part in this circle’s rituals and practices. Whenever a new druid is either born, or inducted in this circle, a tree is planted. It is believed that this tree is to be connected to the new druid and that by living a healthy life, the tree will grow to be healthy as well. Thus, by caring for themselves and being healthy, the world around them will grow to be healthy also.

The Circle of the Toad
Though some beliefs and customs under this circle have changed wildly over time, the core beliefs have been the same from the moment this Circle came into being. Those under the frog believe in a dynamic, ever changing world. They believe that volatility is the natural way of things, and thus, the ability to change and adapt is essential. This goes externally, as well as internally. Self awareness is one of the most important traits one could have under this circle, next to adaptability, and open-mindedness. To be able to know how you’ve changed, and especially why you’ve changed is to be a strong individual under this circle. Though the name has changed over the years, and the exact steps differ, there is a coming of age ceremony that this circle is known for that is used for new druids inducted into this circle, as well as for young people born into the circle. As of the modern age, the current ceremony involves having the one inducted consume or smoke a hallucinogen, and then be placed in a dark room or cavern. This is to symbolize metamorphosis. When the inductee leaves the room, they would have undergone a change.

Saria's Blessed
Those blessed by Saria tend to have a much more responsibility within their circle. Those deemed worthy of her gift have been rigorously examined by the pixies that govern the settlements of the world. Saria's blessed are expected to be leaders within their respective circle, and paragons of the ideals expressed by them. Those with Saria’s gift are high ranking druids within communities of circles, such as the chieftains of a tribe, mediators of conflict, or sometimes even oracles due to their more frequent connections with the fae realm. It is a demanding task given to only those who are worthy of the responsibility. Even then, in order to gain access to more powerful magic a druid will have to continue to prove their worth and devotion to Saria.

Druids who have received Saria’s gift have been granted magic related to their specific circle. Druidic magic is mostly used to commune and aid with the natural world, but in the wrong hands could be dangerous, which is why the pixies are so rigorous and selective. Saria's blessed are also capable of  perceiving the usually imperceivable greater fae, such as pixies, faeries, and seelies. This perception of them is what allots them such stark importance in the druidic world. Whenever a problem arises or imbalance is seen, they are the ones who are expected to commune with the fae and know how to handle them. Pixies are the fae that druids would be in contact with most, though they will occasionally have to talk with a faerie, and seldom would they even see a seelie. Those who have received her gifts are also known to make visits to the fae realm. There, they learn the comings and goings of their respective area and are given tasks that they provide to the druids who are within their circle.

The Druidic Ancestors
Such as there are six main circles within the world of druidism, each of these six circles have their own folklore and legends pertaining to the druidic ancestors that founded these circles. These six ancestors are commonly regarded as the very first druids of Saria, and the first people ever to receive her blessing. Though the ancestors are elves, their stories and philosophies apply to any person who wishes to be a druid. They are seen as paragons of their respective circle - pillars to aspire toward.

Mormura, The White Stag - The Challenger
''In the clearing of a wood filled with creatures of all shapes and sizes resides a stag, large and grand in size, with fur as white as the snow he stands on and eyes as vibrant as the sun. Here he stands in wait for those who may seek out his challenge. In life he was the greatest hunter to ever grace the world and in death, he remains. For those seeking his challenge, know that it will take all of you.''

There is a common story passed down by all who practice druidism, even outside this circle: Mormura was a naturally born hunter back in the earliest days. It was said that he could hold a spear before he could walk. From the moment he could talk, he was slaying beasts that stalked his tribe, and joining the hunting parties that sought food. There are countless tales of Mormura hunting and slaying foul creatures, but the one common thread was that Mormura took no joy in it. No matter how foul, or disgusting the beast was, each part of its body was used. When no others would eat its flesh, Mormura would eat it personally. No matter how brittle the bones, Mormura found a use for them in tools. The parts he couldn’t use himself were instead used to fertilize the land. In his early adulthood, he became the leader of the tribe, and his leadership brought them prosperity.

A rather touchy subject that comes up when discussing the stories of Mormura are the cannibalistic practices the elves of his tribe practiced. This mantra of “waste nothing” also was also applied to people. Whenever someone in their tribe died, it was common to ceremonially consume their flesh, and turn their bones into special tools, which were then given to the families. Some of the “beasts” described in the stories of old were actually elves from other tribes. Sometimes, they were maliciously inclined, others, they got too close to their territory. Regardless, they were hunted, and their flesh was consumed.

Mormura is known as one of the firsts to receive Saria’s gift. He was capable of magic that made him a much better hunter than any of his contemporaries. When he died, it was believed that he took the form of a stag, calling a challenge to all other hunters.

Ish'aera, The Black Owl - The Eye
''High above the world, beyond the eyes of mortals, he sits atop his perch and watches all the comings and goings of the world. Wise, observant, and patient, he meditates here for days on end, learning more and more about the world around him. He is sought after mostly by Fae, who like to use his all-seeing eye to settle disputes about events around the world, though he may have more to offer the mortals that seek his perch. One may certainly feel further enlightenment in the presence of the Black Owl.''

This ancestor was not a tribe leader, but a lone nomad named Ish’aera. He was born to a tribe and lived there for a good chunk of his life. One day, he decided that the communal lifestyle wasn’t for him, and decided to take leave. From there, he lived off the land and provided for himself. Some accounts say that he met a nymph who guided him, and some say that he spent the rest of his life alone. Regardless, there came a point where he meditated and he realised that the sky and the earth were not separate, but one and the same, and that even where there was water, or fire, they were all connected. Thus, it was believed that Ish’aera made the very first pilgrimage. He found his way to the tallest mountain in the furthest reach of the world. There he meditated, and never stopped meditating. When his body was found one hundred years later, it had froze in its meditative position due to the sheer cold of the mountain. Despite all the odds, there was a lone owl perched upon the frozen body of Ish’aera. It told the travelers that found him about his plight, the oneness of the earth and how he was another one of the first druids to receive Saria’s gifts, which allowed him to connect with everything, to see, and understand all.

Amaryne, The Jade Tortoise - The Guardian
''At the centre of all things lies an anomaly: a building, appearing to be of grand shining marble, with windows of pristine crystal and flowing, peaceful fountains. The purpose of this building is unknown, since nobody has entered, nor has been able to enter. Standing guard of this nameless hall is the Jade Tortoise, who protects its entrance with every particle of her being. Though even they do not know what lies inside, she dedicates herself entirely to this plight. She remains unmoving, and undefeated, carrying out her task until world's end.''

The origin of this ancestor starts with a broken home; druids forced off their land, and a decimated tribe. The leader of this tribe, Amaryne, desperate to find a new home. Thus, she led her people out of their forest, heading for the north in search of fertile lands. After months of travelling, and the loss of more lives, she came across a massive glacier. Initially, due to the lack of any discernible wildlife, Amaryne was going to continue searching. Then, a will-o’-wisp appeared before her and informed her that there was more than meets the eye— this land was sacred, and that with faith, she will find it fruitful. Thus, much to the surprise of what remained of her tribe, Amaryne said that she would settle and adapt to this glacier. Though her tribesmen were skeptical, it turned out that this glacier was a bountiful provider. The snow and the ice contained the only fresh water around for miles, which brought wildlife directly to them. From there, it was easy pickings, getting the food they needed to survive, and the leather they needed to keep them warm. Thus, the whole tribe was convinced that these grounds were surely sacred. The glacier, over time, gained the moniker of the Tortoise’s Back due to the fact that this glacier slowly glided across the land. There were many stories of greedy dwarves and humans who were looking to harvest the ice from this glacier, but Amaryne the Unmoving successfully fended them off each time. There are even stories that these ancient elves were the only druidic tribe at the time to make use of metals for armour and tools, adding to the title of 'unmovable'. Amaryne never stepped foot off the Tortoise's Back, dedicating her life to the protection of these grounds, and thus, became another one of the first to gain Saria’s gift. When she eventually passed, she was burried in the snow to become one with the tortoise, thus giving this circle its name.

Sil'mara, The Silver Wolf - The Warden
''There is a place that lies at the furthest corner of existence; a barren wasteland, bleak and dim. Monstrous fey-likes scour this place for lost souls, hoping to take any hungry bite they may. Within this place sits a prison, which holds the most dangerous entities to ever walk the mortal plane; beasts that would surely destroy balance if released. These beasts know the Silver Wolf as their warden. There, she keeps oppressive watch over them. Though she respects their might, and values their strength, she knows that she is mightier, and does not fear them. After all, what beast is there to fear if you are more beastly than they?''

The story of this ancestor tends to be darker than most. It begins with Sil’mara— a tribeswoman who has just been shunned from her tribe due to having been discovered feeding a pack of wolves that had been terrorizing the very tribe she was a part of. From there, she devoted herself to the wolves, hunting alongside them, breaking bread with them, sleeping in their dens. Eventually, she gained a deeper understanding of beasts. She came to realize that creatures such as bugbears, and dragons, and spiders were also a part of the natural world. Thus, she was recognized by Saria and received her gift— in this case, lycanthropy. Sil’mara became what she aspired to be most in this world— a beast. She descended back down to the tribe that had shunned her, this time in her bestial form. Those that recognized her might and submitted were spared, and those that didn’t were feasted on by her, and the other beasts of the wood who lived in fear of that tribe. When more than half the tribe was killed, the others couldn’t help but recognize her power and call her leader. From there, her new tribesmen aspired to beasthood. Some too became lycanthropes, and others became servants to those who could achieve the superior form. Though lycanthropy is mostly thought to be a dead art in the modern time, the aspiration to beasthood persists within those that follow the Circle of the Wolf.

Prynne, The Opal Sloth - The Grovetender
''Deep in the expanded depth lies a grove with diverse trees that stretch further than most may be able to comprehend. These trees are more than meets the eye however, as each individual tree represent the mental states of those who took the time to plant one there. This grove is watched after by a sloth of opalescent fur. The sloth tends to the trees and nourishes them, hoping for all of them to grow healthy and strong - though of course, not all of them can. This grove is important to the fey, as it can be used to get a quick read on anyone they might take interest in, though it’s only used in edge cases. Any mortals who manage to visit this grove are greeted by the Opal Sloth, and will usually be asked to plant a tree.''

This story begins with a tree— a sapling that was planted by a young girl named Prynne long ago. Prynne took good care of this tree. She loved it, and loved watching it grow. However, as she grew, more and more did she see herself in this tree. When she was happy, the tree felt happy. When she was sad, the tree felt sombre. When she felt confident, the tree stood tall. When she felt cowardly, the tree wilted. Prynne was confused about this, and asked a nymph why this was happening. The nymph told her that because she cared for this tree, the tree cared for her, and that all plants have feelings, and wants, and dreams. Prynne felt inspired by this, and asked the nymph if there was anything she could do to help these plants with these hopes and wants. The nymph went silent before telling her that there was nothing she could do— that the plants have been around long before her people were, and that they were happy going through their lives… yet, some of these plants seemed happier when she was. All she had to do was learn to find happiness.

Thus, she set out on a quest to find what made her happy. She asked everyone from her tribe what made them happy, but nothing they said worked for her. Some of them made her happy for only a little bit, and some of them didn’t work at all. So she tried another tribe, and the same thing happened. She travelled across the whole jungle and it was all the same. When she came back home, her tree had grown to be grand and fruitful, though her search seemed to make the tree worried. She climbed the tree and asked it what made it happy. The tree didn’t respond to her. Eventually, she asked a sloth that perched upon its branches and asked what made it happy. To her surprise, the sloth spoke. It told her that watching the moss grow on its back made him happy, that letting things happen, and seeing it through brought him more joy than anything.

Prynne realized at that moment that that was what made her happy also. She loved her tree, and loved watching it grow. That realization caught the attention of that nymph she met earlier, who told Saria. Saria was so touched, that Prynne became another one of the first to receive Saria’s gifts. She used that gift to do what she loved. She planted trees, and flowers, and other plants, and she watched them grow. She loved all of them, and they all loved her. When her tribe finally saw what she had done, Prynne was gone. Thus, the tree and the grove that she planted became a shrine to her, and the sloth that helped her find the answer was praised, which is where the circle associated with her got its name.

Humbaba, the Golden Toad - The Revealer
''Much like his associate, the white stag, the Toad tends to appear before those who need it - especially those within the Circle of the Toad. Rather than providing a challenge for those it meets, or those who seek it, it provides for them the catalyst for change. Everyone always has a chance to improve and reflect on themselves, and the Toad will bring them to the very edge of change. Though it will rarely be comfortable, it will always reveal something, hence its moniker: The Revealer.''

This story takes place long, long ago in a time where the world was just about to turn to ice. Humbaba, the leader of this archaic tribe of wood elves is regarded as the very first to receive Saria’s gift. Before this ice age began, Humbaba’s tribe lived in a lush marsh teeming with plenty of fish, eels, and frogs. Frog legs, were the favoured food of this ancient tribe. However, when the ice age slowly began to lay into the land, their crops froze over and the marsh that provided for them was covered in a thick sheet of ice, making the once bountiful spring unable to provide. At first, Humbaba refused to move. His tribe broke through the ice, and continued searching for frogs. The frogs had become frozen, so it was like they weren’t even killing them. However, one day, when Humbaba was gathering frogs for his tribe, one dethawed and hopped away. At that moment, Humbaba realized that the frogs were not frozen dead, but merely adapting to their environment. Humbaba then contemplated the metamorphosis that frogs underwent, how they’d morph from tadpoles, to frogs. Humbaba then took this as an omen— that if he could not adapt, then his tribe would perish. Thus, Humbaba gathered his tribe, and for the first time, they moved south from the marsh. Though some were skeptical, he used his authority as leader to convince them all to move. Though Humbaba did not know it at the time, he had saved his entire tribe from a slow, freezing death. Saria saw this, and was so impressed with Humbaba’s adaptability, and ability to reflect, that she gifted him with her blessing. Humbaba and his tribe never ate frog legs again after that.